Construction contract has been awarded and construction is expected to begin in October 2014. Contractor will allow for the maximum public access during the construction phase, but for safety reasons, all or a portion of the park may be closed to the public during the construction.

Aquatic Park Improvement Program (APIP)

Project Description/Purpose

The APIP consists of a series of capital improvements to Aquatic Park that will improve the hydrology and water quality of the lagoons, wetland and upland habitat, and user amenities, such as improved pathways, seating, overlooks, interpretive signage, etc. Phase I addresses the water quality and some of the habitat improvements by increasing the water circulation and tidal exchange to bring cooler, more saline Bay water into the lagoons, which will improve habitat for invertebrates and fish, and the birds that feed on them.

Phase I also includes removing invasive non-native plant species and replanting with appropriate native plants.

Phases 2 through 4 will further improve the upland habitat and will provide user amenities.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report” (DEIR) was prepared and circulated for public comment from November 8, 2012 through February 11, 2013. Two public hearings were also conducted during that time. A Response to Comments and the Draft Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) is currently being prepared. When completed, there will be an opportunity for public review and comment.

The Bay Trail Extension is a spur of the San Francisco Bay Trail that will provide safe off-road bicycle and pedestrian access to the Berkeley Marina and waterfront. The Trail will be constructed in phases as funding becomes available.

Current Status

Phases 1 and 2 have been constructed. The completed multi-use trail starts by the Seabreeze Market at West Frontage Road and runs along the south side of University Avenue to the South Sailing Cove parking lot. Project design and construction were funded by a combination of State transportation funds (STIP-TE); Coastal Conservancy funds; the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) funds; and City of Berkeley Parks Tax funds.

The City has also applied for grant funding to construct Phase 3, which will start at the end of the newly constructed Bay Trail, include the around in front of Cal Sailing and Cal Adventures, and terminate at the Adventure Playground.

About half of the parking lot will be paved and striped which will allow for additional parking. The project will be combined with a new restroom, funded separately by a grant from the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBAW).

The City prepared a “Master Development Plan” for Berkeley Tuolumne Camp to identify a series of physical improvements to be implemented over the next twenty years. The improves include environmental improvements, such as relocating the some of the tent cabins from the flood plain; improving site accessibility; improving site drainage; and revegetation the areas disturbed by construction.

Current Status

The City was awaiting final approval from the U.S. Forest Service, the owner of the property, when the Rim Fire destroyed the Park in August 2013. Since then, the City has been working with the Forest Service, several insurance companies, the State Water Board, FEMA and others to determine how to move forward with rebuilding the Camp. Once that is determined, the “Master Development Plan” will need to be revised and will have to undergo a CEQA and NEPA environmental review process.

The tennis courts and basketball courts at Grove Park are in poor condition and require more than resurfacing. The project includes replacing the asphalt, including new base material if necessary, new basketball posts/backboards/rims and tennis nets, and new more energy-efficient lighting.

John Hinkel Park was designated as a City landmark in 2001. The structures and trails are in poor condition; play equipment has been removed and needs to be replaced; and accessibility is limited. Measure WW grant funding is available for selected improvements .

Current Status

A Neighborhood Meeting was held on October 2, 2013 and Councilmember Capitelli’s office distributed a survey to help determine the priorities for the use of available funds.

Design is expected to begin in spring 2014 and additional Neighborhood Meetings will be held during that process.

The drainage at Ohlone Dog Park is poor causing muddy areas. The grading and drainage need to be improved, surfacing replaced and more seating is needed. A small dog park is being considered within or adjacent to the park.

Current Status

The design process is scheduled to begin in March 2014. Community meetings will be conducted during the process.

The City of Berkeley, Parks Recreation and Waterfront Department, has developed and secured funding to renovate the South Sailing Cove providing enhanced public access to water recreation in the Berkeley Marina. The plans call for paving the gravel parking lots, installing bio-swales and landscaping to absorb run-off, new accessible parking, new small boat rigging area, replacing two existing docks and a new restroom to serve the boating community and visitor along the new Bay Trail Extension. The plans were developed and refined through a series of public meeting with boaters and recreational users. Funding for the construction has already been secured through grants Cosco Busan Recreational remediation, California Coastal Conservancy and the California Department of Parks (Boating and Waterways Division).

Current Status

Construction drawing are 90 % completed and City staff are in the process of securing the necessary approvals and permits for the project, the construction will be advertised during the winter of 2014/2015 and construction should begin in spring 2015.

A Master Plan was developed in 2009 and priorities identified as a result of several neighborhood meetings. The first phase of construction will be the Lower Terrace, including the basketball court and improved accessibility.

Current Status

Construction bid documents have been prepared and we have applied for a Building Permit. As soon as the permit is approved, we will go out to bid.